Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2005

Frei Brothers Reserve wines are crafted in a gentle, traditional style enhanced by the use of modern technology, which makes fruit the focus and showcases the best that each varietal and appellation have to offer. The Chardonnay grapes for the 2005 vintage were whole cluster pressed to eliminate bitterness and maximize fresh fruit characters. The wine was briefly cold settled and then racked before fermentation. 100% of this Chardonnay was barrel fermented and oak aged, and temperature was monitored not to exceed 65°F, to produce a slower, cooler fermentation that ensured an even, clean product.

This process resulted in a generous and varietally true Chardonnay. To create a flavorful finish to the wine, the juice underwent sur lie aging for five months and 100% malolactic fermentation, resulting in a buttery texture and deep, layered flavors.